The UNMC College of Medicine Office of DEI has formed four task forces that will start working in November to address identified DEI issues and work toward defined goals at the college, said Shirley Delair, MD, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at the college.
The task forces will assist the DEI Office in its mission to provide strategies and tactical direction to the college to facilitate its goals of creating a diverse and inclusive environment that embraces the differences in all people and enhances excellence in education, research and care for all communities.
“Dean Bradley Britigan has tasked the COM DEI Office to ensure UNMC is an exemplary culturally sensitive, diverse and inclusive organization in its mission of transforming lives through preeminent education, innovative research and extraordinary care,” Dr. Delair said. “The office has been working since its inception to identify areas of concern and develop strategies to address them.”
Working with an independent consultant, and holding focus groups, the office, with input from the DEI office advisory council (students, faculty, residents and staff), developed priority goals that need to be addressed.
“The initiatives we have defined, developed from the response of our focus groups, will help us create and implement those strategies,” Dr. Delair said.
The following task forces have been created:
Addressing lack of leadership education in DEI
- This task force will work on recommendations for DEI training for COM leadership relevant to their roles and the importance of fostering an inclusive learning and working environment.
Lack of sustained leadership support for DEI
- This task force will work on recommendations to include work/training in DEI in the annual evaluation of all faculty and staff with a special emphasis on guidelines that provide a clear path to promotion and tenure for faculty involve for in DEI activities.
Mentorship for UiM (underrepresented in medicine) and LGBTQ populations
- This task force will work on recommendations for a mentoring program that focuses on UNMC College of Medicine students, trainees, residents, fellows, faculty and staff who are historically underrepresented in medicine.
Addressing microaggressions
- This task force will work on recommendations for a detailed professional conduct policy with sections that address microaggressions related to DEI in the learning, clinical, office and research environment. The recommendations would include descriptions of reporting mechanisms, support measures, and disciplinary and/or remediating measures.
Due to the scope and importance of the work being done, staff and student members of the taskforce will be excused from duties to attend meetings during the workday and faculty clinical expectations will be modified to allow participation in taskforce meetings, Dr. Delair said.